I don't own Teen Wolf.

Married to Darkness- Chapter 7

Theo slowly opened his eyes when he felt movement underneath him. He looked around and realized he was sleeping on top of Liam and quickly sat up. The wolf released a tiny groan and mumbled, still half asleep, "I'm cold now."

Theo rubbed away the sleep from his eyes and murmured, "I'm sorry about last night."

The wolf stretched out his limbs and rubbed his eyes before opening them. He let out a long yawn and said, "It's alright. At least you got some sleep." Liam sat up and pulled out his phone. His alarm would be going off in twenty minutes. He laughed, "Breakfast before I have to get ready for school?"

Theo slowly stood up and stretched, "Sure. I can cook something while you get your shower."

Liam nodded, a sleepy smile grew on his face as he stood and walked to his bedroom. Theo walked into the kitchen and checked the fridge. The chimera found plenty of breakfast foods and set them on the stove. He found the skillet and began to cook breakfast. He could hear the water running from the shower upstairs. Theo set out two plates and plated the food as he cooked. Liam walked up behind the chimera and grabbed one of the plates when he finished.

"Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, and Toast? You didn't have to cook this much."

The chimera cleaned the skillet as he said, "What? It's basically short order cooking. It's not that hard."

When he finished, Theo turned to face Liam, who was sitting at the table scarfing down his breakfast. The chimera shook his head gently, "Does it meet "Mom's Standard"?"

Liam grinned after he swallowed a particularly large bite, "Almost. You'll get there. Just keep practicing."

Theo laughed and ate his breakfast. Liam's alarm began to blare and the wolf rushed to the living room and turned it off. Theo watched the young wolf, who was clad only in a pair of black boxer briefs, and asked when the wolf stepped back into the kitchen, "I thought you were getting dressed after?"

Liam chuckled before he sat back down, "Hey, I had to deal with you wearing only a jock. Plus I have my laundry folded in the laundry room. I didn't feel like putting it away since I have the house to myself this week."

Theo rolled his eyes, "So you have the outfit I lent you so I can get cleaned up?"

The young wolf grinned and continued to eat before he said, "I put some clothes for you in the bathroom." Theo shook his head and put his empty plate and utensils in the sink before walking upstairs to take a shower.

He stepped into the bathroom and noticed the folded clothes with a red Beacon Hill High lacrosse hoodie on top. He rolled his eyes as he turned on the water and took his shower. When he finished he wrapped the towel set aside around his waist and saw a new toothbrush, still in the package, waiting for him on the sink. The chimera finished cleaning up and got dressed. He walked downstairs, carrying the hoodie.

Liam stood at the bottom of the stairs and couldn't help but laugh as Theo walked down. The wolf had set aside some practice clothes from lacrosse but forgot about their size differences. Theo stepped into light wearing Liam's practice jersey which ended just short enough to look like a longer crop top, the chimera's abs and belly button showed and a pair of running shorts which looked almost absurdly short on the taller boy. When Theo saw Liam laughing he said, "You did this on purpose."

Liam waved his hand to dispute as he finished chuckling, "No. I just didn't realize how little they would fit you. But we have to go so just toss on the hoodie."

Theo groaned and tossed on the hoodie, which would've been baggy on Liam but looked form fitting on the chimera.

Liam grabbed his lacrosse gear and backpack and said, "Come on, you are taking me to school so I don't have to interrupt Mason and Corey's time together."

Theo rolled his eyes playfully and said, "Whatever, let's go."

The two young men left the Geyer residence and drove to Beacon Hill High. When Theo pulled into the parking lot, Liam had him park next to Mason's car. Corey was leaning against the driver's side door while Mason spoke to him, his hand on the younger chimera's shoulder. Liam jumped out of the truck with his bags and joined his friends. Theo slowly stepped out and walked around Mason's car. As soon as Mason and Corey saw Theo, smiles formed on their faces. Theo quickly stated, "Make one comment and I will rip you a new one."

The couple looked to each other before Liam whistled and said, "Nice legs Theo!" That caused them to laugh and the older chimera's face turned a vibrant shade of red. Nolan walked up and looked at Theo, "Why are you wearing Liam's clothes? They don't really fit you well."

Before Theo could respond, Corey commented, "I think they fit him quite…snug." The younger chimera laughed as Mason asked, "Were you just checking out Theo, again?"

Corey held back his laughter and made eye contact with his boyfriend. He deadpanned, "So were you" before he gave a gentle kiss to the tip of Mason's nose. Mason started to giggle before he looked to Theo, "Sorry, he's right."

Theo glared daggers at Liam, "You did this on purpose, Little Wolf."

Liam wore his shit eating grin, "Whatever you say, Shadow Wolf."

Theo huffed, "Bite me."

Mason looked to Liam, "Hey, can I get that book from you before you head to practice?"

Liam nodded, "Yeah, it's in my locker." The wolf looked at the crimson chimera and said, "See you later Theo. And red really is your color." Liam, Mason and Corey walked into the school.

Nolan looked to Theo and said, "Hey can I ask you something?" Theo nodded and the two walked towards the lacrosse field where a group of players were already doing their early morning warm-up.

Nolan whispered, "So, what happened with Parrish? Is everything alright?"

Theo grinned, "For now I'm good but who knows."

Nolan spoke up, "Isn't it scary though? Like they could put you in prison."

Theo nodded as they reached the field, "Yeah, it's scary. But it'll be alright."

Nolan's eyes widened as he thought about it, "Yeah but prison." The teen looked the chimera up and down and said, "I don't mean for this to sound the wrong way but you are too pretty to go to prison."

Theo gasped for a moment before a loud voice belted from behind him, "Of course Dunbar is too pretty to go to prison. They would eat him alive in there. Now Co-captains get to the field and run the drills."

Nolan ran to the field while Theo shook his head. The chimera felt a hard slap on the back as the man said, "That includes you Dunbar."

Theo turned to face the Coach Finstock. The coach had his usual mixture of anger and humorous expression as Theo said, "I am not Dunbar. I am just borrowing his hoodie."

Finstock shrugged and said, "Yeah, you aren't Dunbar. Get out there and run the drills with the team."

Theo smirked, "But I don't even go here. I'm out of school."

Finstock shook his head and said, "This is the problem with kids. Graduation is but a moment in time, Fitness is eternal."

Theo rolled his eyes and stated, "I got a GED and I've never played lacrosse."

Finstock leaned in closer to Theo, "I didn't ask for your life story. Can you run?"

Theo responded back meeting the coaches' enthusiasm, "Of course I can run."

Finstock yelled back, "Then go run. Run the team."

Theo slowly edged back, "But."

Finstock yelled as he interrupted, "I said RUN!" He brought his whistle to his lips and blew on it loudly to Theo's face. The chimera relented and ran to the field. He started the wind sprint drills with the team. Finstock smugly grinned as he crossed his arms, "I am a good coach."

Theo practiced with the team and caught Mason and Corey laughing at him from the bleachers when Liam joined him on the field. When they finished practice, Finstock pulled the chimera aside, "Hey, have you ever thought of being an assistant coach?"

Theo wiped the sweat off his face and brushed back his messy sweaty hair, "Can't say I have coach."

Coach nodded, "You should do it. You know, as a volunteer at first but we might be able to find something in the budget." The coach yelled at one of the players, "Don't treat your stick like that! Do you treat your stick like that?" He turned back to Theo, "You aren't pervy or anything, right?"

Theo shook his head and with mild annoyance in his voice he responded, "Well, no. But I work a lot."

Coach slapped the chimera on the back, "Good. I like a work ethic. You'll be a great assistant coach." Before Theo could respond Finstock started chasing the stragglers to the locker room blowing his whistle.

Completely dumbfounded, Theo walked to the maintenance shed and back into his den. He completed his college assignments and followed his usual daily routine.

By the time Friday rolled around Theo had incorporated the morning and afternoon practices into his schedule. When they finished on the field that afternoon the pack approached the chimera on the field. Liam said, "So, I think we should plan out how we are going to handle the next compound."

Theo groaned as he looked at the pack, "You want to use my den for the pack meeting, don't you?"

Mason grinned as he responded, "We are right here."

Theo light heartedly sighed and said, "Alright. Let's get to planning then." He led the back to his den. When they stepped into the den and got situated Liam commented, "You know, your den smells like a locker room."

Theo growled as opened his laptop, "You don't say. We could've showered before the meeting."

Nolan laughed, "I don't know what you are talking about. We smell a little but it isn't that bad."

Mason looked to Nolan and said, "This is one of the times we are the lucky ones."

Liam looked to the pack, Mason and Corey sat on Theo's cot, Nolan sat on the workout bench, Theo at the computer chair and said, "So I am thinking we need to hit the compound tonight."

Theo shrugged, "Normally I'd say I couldn't but with Parrish snooping around my workplace they have cut me for the evening."

Nolan looked to the older chimera, "They are still bothering you."

Theo nodded, "Yeah. Ever since I lawyered up, they have a hard on for me to be incarcerated."

Corey mumbled, "That sucks."

Mason looked to the pack, "It does suck but that means we can act tonight."

Corey kissed Mason on the cheek, "You always find the silver lining."

Liam cleared his throat and continued, "How should we infiltrate this compound?" He looked to Nolan, "Do you still want to pose as a hunter to get inside?"

Nolan nervously nodded and said, "Yeah. I should be able to fool them."

Theo looked to Liam and then Nolan, "I don't like should. I have an idea on a way we can definitely fool them."

Corey asked, "How can we fool them?"

Theo grinned darkly, "What do we know about how the hunters have been operating?"

Nolan answered, "They've been killing families, right?"

Theo nodded but before he could speak, the gears turned for Mason and the young man responded, "You aren't thinking what I think you are Theo."

Theo widened his grin and nodded slowly. Mason looked to Liam and said, "Dude, this is about to hurt."

Liam looked around confused, "What are you talking about?"

Mason responded initially to Liam but looked to Theo as he finished, "You want to send Nolan in with trophies right? A couple of pairs of werewolf claws?"

Theo slowly raised his right pointer finger and tapped it on the end of his nose while Liam's eyes grew to be sauce pans. Corey interrupted, "Are you crazy? That wouldn't just hurt. You could flip out and hurt whoever removed them."

Theo looked to Liam, "What do you say little wolf? Want to play a game of self-control?"

Slowly the wolf calmed himself before grinning himself, "I guarantee you'll lose control before I do."

Theo jumped up and walked behind the curtain. When he emerged he was carrying a pair of industrial pliers. He walked over to the bench and set them down next to Nolan. The chimera looked at the pack, "So who will do the honors of declawing Liam and Myself?"

Nolan jumped up and backed away from the bench, "Not me. I can't hurt you two."

Theo shot the nervous young man a glare, "Really? I seem to recall you shooting me with a crossbow."

Nolan angrily responded, his voice shaky, "Well that's only because you made me."

Liam looked to Nolan and then Theo, his anger rising, "He shot you with a crossbow?"

Corey nodded, "Yeah, Theo was showing off. Again."

Theo smugly grinned, "What can I say? So who will do the honors?"

Mason stood up and walked over to the pliers. He eyed them and then looked to Theo, "I can remove yours. I just can't do that to my best friend. No offense Theo."

The older chimera shrugged, "None taken. So, Corey and Nolan, which one of you will help Liam?"

Nolan shook his head and Corey stood up and walked over to Mason, "If my boyfriend can handle it, I'll do it for Liam."

Theo and Liam grinned to each other. Theo guided them both to sit on the floor on opposite sides of the workout bench. They faced each other with one hand extended on the bench while their off hands held each other's like they were preparing to arm wrestle. Both young men wolfed out. Theo said, "Just remember if either one of us loses control, the other will be the one to protect the pack." He met Liam's gaze, "Feel free to dig your claws into my hand, I can take it." Liam grinned back at Theo, "I'll be just fine."

Mason picked up the pliers first and clamped them with a firm hold on Theo's thumbnail. He placed his foot on the bench to get leverage and began to apply pressure to pull it free. Theo gritted his teeth and growled as the human pulled on the nail. He squeezed Liam's hand and tensed his arm to create vice like pressure on the wolf. It ripped free with a sickening slurp. Once it was free, Theo gasped from the pain and muttered, "One down." Mason set the claw on the table and passed the pliers to Corey. The younger chimera clamped them down on Liam's pinkie finger nail. He asked, "Are you ready Liam?"

Liam growled, "Do it!" Corey torqued the nail which caused the wolf to claw into Theo's hand and scream out in pain. The pop of the nail happened but Theo smirked at Liam, "You messed up wolf."

Liam gasped in pain, "What?" Theo responded, "Rub my hand." Liam did as the chimera asked and realized he wasn't wolf out anymore. He muttered, "Shit" as Corey set the human fingernail on the table.

Theo laughed through the pain, "Gotta try harder little wolf."

Mason grabbed the pliers from Corey and unceremoniously ripped the claw from Theo's pointer finger. The chimera cried out in pain but managed to maintain control. Mason set the claw on the table. Nolan watched in a combination of surprise and horror. He asked Mason, "Are you alright Mason?"

Theo muttered, "He's enjoying this, at least a little."

Corey gasped as he looked to Mason, "Babe, is that true?" Mason shrugged a little and said, "We have a few unresolved issues."

Liam smiled while Theo laughed again and said, "There's the Mason I love. If you want you can just rip the rest out before handing them back to Corey. Get out some of that aggression."

Mason walked back to the bench and one by one yanked them from Theo's hand. The chimera huffed through the pain and clawed into Liam's hand. Liam began muttering, "The sun, the moon, the truth."

When Mason finished, Theo glared at him, "Are you feeling better?"

Mason grinned, "A little, you still have another hand though." Theo laughed bitterly, "Once little wolf gets his treatment, we can do round two."

Corey took the pliers from Mason and knelt next to Liam's hand on the bench. He asked Liam, "How do you want me to do this?"

Liam looked to the chimera, "Like a band aid."

Corey nodded and clamped down on Liam's next claw. One by one he popped them out. Liam screamed through the pain and clawed into Theo's hand. He kept muttering, "The sun, the moon, the truth." When Corey finished, he set them on the table. A large pool of blood formed at the end of the bench from the two men's hands. Theo grinned, "Ready to change sides?"

Liam nodded and they both stood up and switched side of the bench. Their claws were already beginning to heal but it would take a bit longer before they could use them.

They assumed the position again but they held each other's hand with their now declawed hands. Liam said, "This is going to be harder. We can't claw into each other."

Theo grinned and nodded, "It's simple. We try to beat the other at arm wrestling when our claws are being removed. Try not to lose too bad little wolf."

The yellow of Liam's eyes flared and he said, "Don't be a sore loser, Shadow wolf."

Mason took the pliers from Corey and clamped on Theo's claw. Theo yelled, "Do it!" Mason began to pull and Theo yelped in pain. He applied pressure to Liam's offhand and the arm wrestling match began. On his last nail Theo broke his eye contact with Liam and glared at Mason. Before he could react the older chimera felt the hard crack of Liam's head against his nose. Theo released his off-hand grip and grabbed his nose after Mason pulled off the last claw. The chimera spat, "What the hell, you broke my nose."

Liam growled, "You threatened my friend."

Theo looked down, "Alright, fair enough." The chimera looked to Mason, "No hard feelings?" Mason grinned and said, "I'm good. But somehow I feel I need to buy you a drink or something. This was pretty cathartic for me."

Theo nodded his head as he winced through the pain, "Glad I could help." Corey took the pliers from Mason and set them up to pull Liam's remaining claws. Theo grabbed Liam's off hand again. The younger chimera asked, "Are you ready Liam?" The wolf nodded slowly as he began his mantra. Corey began and Theo and Liam began to arm wrestle, eyes locked. When Corey reached his third claw, Liam clamped his eyes closed and began to really torque Theo's off hand. Theo sighed and began to take Liam's pain as he fought against the strength of the young wolf. Liam didn't open his eyes until Corey was on his last claw. The young wolf saw the black veins crawling into Theo and the older chimera fighting back the pain and channeling that into the arm wrestling. Liam said, "That's cheating."

Theo smiled as Corey finished, "It was never said that we couldn't take each other's pain."

Liam laughed, "Yeah, you're right. So who won?"

Theo smirked as he continued to take Liam's pain, "Nolan." Liam threw his head back laughing and Theo followed suit. The chimera stopped taking the wolf's pain and both reveled in the pain they endured and the sweet release afterwards. Nolan commented, "You can stop holding each other's hands now. You aren't even arm wrestling anymore."

Liam and Theo made eye contact and gently released each other. Liam stood up and flexed his fingers as he felt the new nails grow and heal. He looked to Nolan, "Well, now you will pass for their kind of hunter."

Theo stood up and stretched before looking to Nolan, "You still have your hunter outfit ready?"

Nolan nodded, "It's at home but I have it."

Theo nodded, "Good. So how do we want to do this?"

Liam looked at the pack and said, "We can set up a perimeter while Nolan gets inside. He just has to find out what is going on."

Mason and Corey looked at one another and Corey said, "I don't like the idea of Nolan going in alone." The younger chimera looked to the nervous teen, "Nothing against you Nolan but if something bad happens, I want you to be safe."

Nolan nodded and said, "You could follow me kind of like last time Corey."

Before Corey could respond, Theo said, "No, I'll go with you."

Liam glared at the chimera, "What? How?"

Theo smiled, "I will be the live werewolf he caught. He can have me restrained with a wolfsbane bolt in me. It should be believable."

Mason chewed his lip as he thought, "I don't know. You might get hurt or worse."

Theo looked to Mason, "No risk, no reward. This way I can make sure Nolan is safe."

Liam looked to his pack, "It sounds like it should work. We just have to break their mountain barrier on the way so the cavalry can come if we are needed."

The pack acknowledged and Corey asked, "So when do we head out to the compound?"

Liam looked at the time, it was just after 6. He said, "We can head out in about two hours. That should give everyone some time."

Mason nodded and handed his keys to Corey. The young chimera looked at his boyfriend in confusion. Mason said, "Take Nolan to get ready. I want to speak to Theo. And if you want to be the sweetheart that I know you are, bring me back a cheeseburger and curly fries from the diner." Corey laughed a little and kissed his boyfriend. "Alright. Come on Nolan."

Corey and Nolan stepped to the entrance as Liam followed. The acting alpha said, "Hey, wait up. I want a ride home too." The three left the den. Theo walked past Mason into his bathroom. He washed his hands and grabbed some cleaning supplies for the blood. He said casually, "What do you want to talk about Mason?"

Mason glared at the chimera, "Did you mean what you said at pack meeting months ago?"

Theo sighed, "Most of it, yeah. I think I know what you are getting at."

"You didn't care if I ceased to exist."

Theo stepped back into the living area with cleaning solution and a towel and began to clean up the bench. He said, "When I was riding my power high, I didn't. I do now. I am glad I failed then."

Mason opened Theo's bottom drawer and pulled out the vials of purple liquid and pocketed them. He held one out as Theo cleaned. "Oh, and I will be holding on to these. Corey told me what was happening."

Theo sighed, his voice became cold as he spoke, "It wasn't his place."

Mason responded with a calm rage, "I didn't give him much of a choice. I might not be supernatural but I can read Corey."

Theo nodded, "Point taken. Have you told Liam?" There was a brief pause before he said, "Oh and Nolan?"

Mason half-grinned, "No. But while we are talking about Liam." When Mason spoke Liam's name, the older chimera audibly swallowed. Mason continued after a brief pause, "What do you want with Liam?"

Theo finished cleaning up the blood and looked to Mason, a quiet rage burned in the chimera, "What do you mean, what do I want?"

Mason smiled, "I think I phrased that a bit harsher than I meant. How much of Liam's life do you want to be a part of?"

Theo narrowed his eyes as he thought about it. He calmly responded, "That's another interesting question. What are you getting at Mason?"

The human rolled his eyes, "I'll lay it out. If you only want to pop in and save the day or deal with hunters and the supernatural side, then cut ties now. If you actually want to be a person in his life, then commit whole heartedly."

Theo flashed his smug smile, "Why is this your issue?"

Mason closed the gap between them and glared Theo down, the passionate protective and caring side of Mason raged against the apparent disregard from the chimera, "I'm going to paint a picture for you Raeken. Imagine you are a six year old boy. You have loving parents who tried to give you the world. Now imagine that same family where life comes crashing down. The father of throws everything into escaping the world with alcohol. After a few months of that, the same father can't deal with his wife and son so he beats them. He needs to control something in his life so he controls his family with fear and violence. That goes on for a couple of years until the boy's mother leaves the father and takes her son with her. She remarries and family life is stable. But his father keeps popping into his life, threats and abuse continue at the whims of the demanding father. Eventually the man learns the error of his ways and gets help. So now this boy is ten or so and the reformed abusive father steps back into his life. After a lot of work from everyone involved, this father is able to reconnect with his son and rebuild the damaged trust. Then in another twist, the father dies in a car accident. That boy is Liam. For whatever reason, you two have a connection. Don't get me wrong, I am all for it but you can't keep popping into his life to do something good and then dashing out as if he doesn't matter. Each time you do it, Liam pulls back further from everyone. So, Theo. Pick a lane."

Theo stepped back and considered everything Mason just told him. He sighed and looked to the floor, "I just don't want Liam to rely on me when I don't know if I can be there."

Mason continued his press of the chimera, "Why? Because you are reconciling your past? You don't trust yourself with people? I've got a news flash for you Theo, welcome to the pack. We all have things we are working through and cutting yourself off and hiding behind that wall is complete BS."

Theo looked at Mason, "I still don't get why you care so much about what is going on with me."

Mason spat, "Because the two men in my life care about what happens to you. Wake up Theo, no one is an island."

Theo growled and stepped away from Mason, "Alright. I'll do it. I'll commit to the pack. The pack here, not Scott's pack."

Mason smiled, "You see, now was that so hard. Where are the dread doctors' journals?"

Theo shot his gaze back to Mason, "Why?"

The human rolled his eyes, "Because I am going to help your research so by the time you would be telling Liam what is happening, we'll already have a solution."

Theo gasped, stunned at the calm, but emotional overload from the human. He pointed to the stack next to his cot, "There."

Mason walked over and picked them up and put them in his backpack. He huffed before he said, "Now, in an unrelated event, my parents want to have my friends come over for dinner one night so they can meet everyone. I expect you to attend."

Theo nodded, "Alright." Completely stunned, the chimera walked to the bathroom and took a shower while Mason hoped on the laptop and began to research current crime trends in Beacon Hills. When he finished cleaning up, the chimera put on a pair of sweat pants and a black t shirt. He padded over to the desk and looked at the computer screen, over Mason's back and asked, "Did you find anything new?"

Mason sighed, "Another murder. Something doesn't make sense. Why are they stepping up their game now?"

Theo thought about it for a moment and said, "Either they aren't and we've dealt with them easily in the past or there is an entirely different group of hunters that only arrived a few weeks ago."

Mason looked to Theo, "That's what I was thinking. But their plans are pretty lofty for such a small group."

Theo paced around his living area, "Yeah. We took out one of their two compounds but they haven't slowed. With that compound being their armory."

Mason nodded as he followed the chimera with his eyes, "It's like they expected to face this level of resistance or worse."

Theo nodded, "Like they expect someone else to come soon and complete the plan."

"That's what I am thinking."

The chimera began to say something when he heard the knock at the door. He walked over and opened it to let Corey, Nolan, and Liam back inside. Corey walked in carrying a bag with two containers of food, while Nolan walked in wearing his hunter uniform and carrying his crossbow. Corey walked the food over to the desk and set it down. He pulled one to go container out and handed it to Theo, "I hope you don't mind a cheeseburger and curly fries too."

Theo took it and smiled. He opened the box and started eating. Mason opened his box before he pulled Corey back and kissed him. "Thanks, you are the best babe."

The pack finished their preparations and dinner and split into the two teams. Nolan rode with Theo while Liam, Mason, and Corey left in Mason's car. Liam's team parked their vehicle at the Hale house while Theo drove to another cutoff from the main road. He hid his truck when he parked and led Nolan through the forest towards the compound.

Nolan's uniform made a clicking noise as he walked, from the claws in a tiny cloth sack that hung from his belt. He kept his crossbow ready as they kept an eye out for traps. The nervous teen asked, "Have you found the barrier yet?"

Theo sniffed the air and caught the scent of mountain ash but there was another scent that threw him off. "There is another wolf at the compound."

Nolan inquired, "What? Are you sure?"

Theo nodded as he found the mountain ash barrier and broke the line. They continued on foot and dodged a few bear traps placed to deter visitors. They crested over the final hill and saw the compound. There was no guard standing outside and it looked empty. Theo listened for heartbeats but couldn't find any. He muttered, "I must be too far away. Are you ready to do this Nolan?"

The teen nodded as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Theo folded his hands behind his back and Nolan locked the handcuffs on his wrists. Nolan began to push him forward when Theo said, "Don't forget the bolt."

Nolan sighed and took aim at the meaty part of Theo's left thigh. He released the bolt which imbedded into the chimera's leg. Theo stifled his cry in pain and slowly walked toward the compound. Nolan reloaded the crossbow and walked behind Theo, the weapon pointed at the chimera's back.

When they reached the door they noticed that it was open a crack. Nolan stepped forward to push it open when Theo said, "It smells like blood and weapons fire. Something isn't right."

Nolan didn't register the chimera's words before he opened the door and looked into the main room. Bodies littered the floor. The hunters were ripped apart, their weapons scattered. The floor was covered in blood and the walls pocked with bullets and cracks to the concrete.

Nolan gasped as Theo said, "I only hear one heartbeat in there."